Violations of the functional ability of the thyroid gland are in the form of hyper- or hypothyroidism. Autoimmune thyroiditis, euthyroidism (a condition characterized by normal secretory activity of the thyroid gland) is also isolated.
Almost 50% of women over the age of 50 suffer from this pathology. It has a chronic course and is characterized by autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid gland, which in clinical manifestations resembles hypothyroidism and occurs due to immunological disorders in which antibodies to thyrocytes are formed. The treatment of
autoimmune thyroiditis in this case is carried out taking into account the volume of thyroid cell lesions.
Clinical manifestations
With preserved thyroid function, there are no complaints. Only in individual cases, patients can complain of slight discomfort in the front of the neck, as well as intolerance to scarves or collars.
With severe hypothyroidism (secretory insufficiency of the thyroid gland), patients become pale, with a swollen face, weak facial expressions, slow movements and slurred speech. They complain of severe weakness, decreased working capacity and drowsiness,
hoarseness and
poor memory, as well as frequent constipation. In women, there is a violation of the menstrual cycle, mastopathy develops. In men, libido decreases, impotence occurs. Children have slow physical and mental development.
When thyroid cells are damaged, a lot of hormones enter the bloodstream. This leads to clinical signs of hyperthyroidism - tremor of the extremities, sweating, tachycardia and high blood pressure.
How to treat autoimmune thyroiditis? Therapy of this pathology is carried out after the results of blood tests for the level of antibodies and hormones are obtained, as well as after an ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland, and, if necessary, after its biopsy.
Treatment of autoimmune thyroiditis with traditional methods
The treatment is based on hormone replacement therapy. Most often prescribed drug "L-thyroxine". This hormone should be taken even in cases where there are no obvious signs of impaired thyroid function. This is due to the following properties of the drug:
• inhibits the synthesis of thyroid-stimulating hormone;
• prevents thyroid failure;
• neutralizes lymphocytes that destroy the thyroid gland.
The treatment of autoimmune thyroiditis may also include taking Thyroidin, Thyroxine, Triiodothyronine hydrochloride. If adequate replacement therapy does not give the desired results, corticosteroids are used.
With malignant degeneration of the thyroid gland, as well as with compression of the trachea or esophagus, surgical treatment of autoimmune thyroiditis is performed.
In the treatment of this disease, folk remedies based on pine buds, beetroot and carrot juice, seaweed, plantain, and horsetail can also be used. The duration of treatment depends on the effect obtained. But it is worth remembering that for all forms of thyroid lesions, one should not self-medicate and apply folk remedies in isolation from traditional methods of therapy. Only an integrated approach can provide positive results.